What Would You Do? - Our Readers

Hooked on Psychics
What would you do in this situation? Readers solve the dilemma.

The scenario
Michael is a 27-year-old Catholic who made a recommitment to Christ a year ago on a retreat. Michael's parents consider themselves good Catholics. His father is active in the Knights of Columbus and his mother works part-time at the rectory. Since his conversion, Michael has had a hunger to learn the Faith. He reads books and listens to tapes regularly, and is just now becoming able to explain the Faith with some lucidity.
The problem Michael faces is with his mother. Three months ago at a carnival, she had her cards read by a psychic, and most of the predictions came true. Since then, Michael's mother has seen the psychic monthly, and even "got permission" from the psychic to call other psychics on the popular 900 numbers, which she does weekly. Michael is worried about his mother. She doesn't see a conflict between her Faith and consulting psychics. She often says, "God knows what my future is. God wants what's best for me. Why shouldn't He want me to know my future?" Because he's still learning the Faith and not yet advanced in apologetics, Michael avoids the topic, although he very much wants to address the issue. What should he do? What would you do?

Satan promises everything to you, even the gift of foreseeing the future. But what he doesn't tell you is that there's a price . . . your soul. If God wants you to know something in particular, He will reveal it, without tarot cards, psychics, ouija boards, etc. All of those things are just tools of the devil. The only thing -- the best thing -- you can do is pray for her constantly. She really needs your prayers now. I know it's not the easiest answer, but it's the surest.
Kim Fasser, Eglin AFB, FL

I would tell the person involved that the true incident on which The Exorcist was based all started with the mother of the child being very interested in Spiritualism. The entire true account is way more dramatic than the blasphemous film version. The cure for the boy's possession was, I think, to utter the words "Lord God" (and maybe something else) in Latin. I think this is a statement by St. Michael on the true nature of Spiritualism, in that Spiritualists will never call God Lord. They will never bow to Him as an authority.
Therefore, I would tell this woman first of the need to recognize God as Lord, then tell her about the true incident.
Juan A. Taylor, St. Paul, MN

Years ago, I went to psychics without seeing the problem. I have since discontinued this practice, as I feel it is unfaithful to say I trust in the Lord, yet seek answers elsewhere. Psychics are addicting. The need to learn more and more is never-ending. It is a very touchy subject that needs to be handled gently. Adultery is publicized and available to all, but it is our judgement that tells us not to act on the opportunities that might be presented to us. We are in charge of ourselves, and what God wants us to see is in His hands, and presented to us as our lives unfold.
M. Mills, via e-mail

I think the key phrase here is that "Michael very much wants to address the issue." If I were Michael, I would focus less on what he doesn't know and more on his desire to "address the issue" with his mother. I believe the desire to help someone understand truth is prompted by the Holy Spirit and we, as His hands and feet and mouthpieces, need to respond according to His will.
We often forget as Christians that our Lord did not leave us orphaned, but sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in all wisdom and truth. A promise was made by Jesus in Acts 1:8 which should give us all comfort when sharing the gospel -- regardless of our level of apologetics knowledge. Acts 1:8 states: " 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.' "
So Michael should first start with prayer and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. It may be as simple as: "Holy Spirit, grant me the courage and wisdom to speak your truth in perfect love to my mother. Grant my mother the grace to hear this truth and not harden her heart. Let all this be done according to your will." Humble prayer always sets the stage for a fruitful conversation, especially with a loved one.
Although new to apologetics, Michael knows the value of finding information, and the Church provides a number of sources. For example, Michael can look up passages in a concordance or in the subject index of his Bible. References to fortune telling can be found in Deut. 18:10 and Jer. 29:8. But the best place to start is with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Fortune telling, magic and sorcery are all addressed (see sections 1852, 2110, 2116, 2117 and 2138), particularly as they relate to the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me."
Section 2116 says that "all forms of divination are to be rejected." It states that "consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading . . . all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers." The Catechism goes on to warn that desires for future knowledge contradict the "honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone." By using this section, Michael can show his mother a concrete passage which clearly outlines the conflict between Catholic Church teaching and the practice of consulting psychics. This will surely start a dialogue between the two.
Michael should also try to show why the use of psychics is a form of idolatry and that it takes away from our singular focus on God. The Catechism states in section 2113 that "idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God." This needs to be presented carefully, for I'm sure Michael's mother would not consider herself an idolater. She, like most people who engage in horoscopes, palm reading or psychics, probably view such action as harmless fun.
But Satan is crafty; he uses things that seem like "harmless fun" to pull us away from God -- to cloud or distort truth. The question Michael should help his mom answer is: "Why do you want to know the future anyway?" By getting at the heart of this, Michael may be able to help his mother understand the idolatrous nature of her actions.
Bible examples are very useful. Michael can point his mother to Genesis 3. This desire to be "Godlike" and know all things is the exact sin which led to the Fall. Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge out of a desire to know their future -- to be on the same level as God. The Catechism says that "idolatry is a perversion of man's innate religious sense" (2114). This can also be seen in the story of Simon the Magician from Acts 8:9-23.
Simon, a former magician and convert to Christianity, covets the power of the Apostles. He sees that the Apostles are able to give others the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, and he desires it. He offers Peter and John money for it and says, "Give me the same power so that anyone I lay my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit."
He is seriously rebuked by Peter, who says, "God can see how your heart is warped." Simon's idolatrous attachment to magic and power perverts and distorts his relationship with God. So what's the solution? I think Peter says it best in verses 22-23: "Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."
Michael should encourage his mother to review these Catechism and Bible references and reflect on this truth. Since she works part time at her parish rectory, he should encourage her to speak with one of the priests that is knowledgeable of this truth.
And finally, he should be a loving and prayerful son who lives his life as an example of Christ's teaching. Most people engage in this behavior because they have never had an encounter with the living God. They may intellectually believe in God, but have probably never experienced Him, and therefore don't know how to trust Him. This should be Michael's prayer: that his mother may encounter the living God in such a personal way that her life is forever changed, and that she no longer looks to other people or things to find security, for she has found it in God alone.
May that be the prayer for us all.
Kathleen Kelly, Washington, DC

Next issue's scenario
Judy and Mike are a Catholic couple in their mid-40s. Their 21-year-old son Andrew, a junior at the local university, informed them last Saturday that he's considering becoming a Mormon. Amanda, the girl he's been dating for the last year, is a devout Mormon. She told him she would have to break off their relationship if he wouldn't join her church, because she won't marry a non-Mormon. Andrew is in love with Amanda and doesn't want to lose her, so he's begun studying with Mormon missionaries and is seriously contemplating being baptized a Mormon. Judy and Mike are horrified. What should they do? What would you do?

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